Steering Column Switches (Defender 2007+)

Review

The steering column switches include the multifunction steering column switch and the ignition switch. Both the switch and the ignition switch are located on the steering column assembly.

The multifunction switch on the steering column is a housing that contains the turn signal lever assembly and the windshield wiper control lever assembly. The multifunction switch is located behind the steering wheel and is attached to the steering column assembly at the top and to the steering column lock housing at the bottom.

Turn signal switch

The turn signal switch assembly is located on the left side of the housing. The switch is connected to the main wiring harness via a connector on the rear wall of the switch. The lever performs the following functions:

• Turning on the left/right turn signal
• Switching between low and high beam headlights
• High beam headlights alarm
• Sound signal

The right turn signals are switched on by moving the lever upwards, and the left turn signals are switched on by moving the lever downwards. The lever is fixed in the selected position and remains in it until it is returned to the central position, corresponding to the direction indicators being switched off. The positions of the lever when the left and right turn signals are switched on are connected by separate wires to the hazard warning relay via the hazard warning light switch. When the lever is moved, the circuit in the hazard warning relay is closed to ground via the contacts in the lever installed in the selected position. The hazard warning relay registers the closure of the circuit and switches on the corresponding direction indicators, which operate until the lever is returned to the central position, corresponding to the direction indicators being switched off. The direction indicators are switched off either manually (by the driver) or automatically, when the steering wheel is returned to the straight-ahead position.

Switching between low/high beam headlights and high beam signaling

The high beam headlights are switched on by moving the lever forward (from the driver). The lever is locked in this position and the high beam headlights remain on until the lever is manually moved back. To signal with high beam headlights, the lever must be moved back (to the driver). The switch contacts close the electrical circuit and the headlights remain on as long as the lever is in the specified position. This position of the lever is not fixed, and the high beam headlights used for signaling are turned off when the driver releases the lever and the lever returns to the central position. The contacts responsible for turning on the high beam headlights and signaling with high beam headlights are connected to the high/low beam headlight relay and "ground" by different wires. When the lever is moved, the high/low beam headlight relay circuit is closed to "ground" through the contacts of the lever installed in the selected position.

Windscreen Wiper and Washer Switch Assembly

Pos.	Spare part number	Name
1	-	Intermittent cleaning
2	-	Low operating speed
3	-	High speed of work
4	-	One windshield wiper

The various windshield wiper functions are activated by moving the lever up or down. The single wiper mode is activated by pressing the spring-loaded switch up. The switch contact corresponding to the single wiper mode is connected by one wire to the electronic control unit (ECU) delay timer and to ground. When the lever is moved, the ECU delay timer circuit is closed to ground. If the circuit is closed, the windshield wipers operate as long as the switch contact is maintained.

The intermittent wiper mode is activated by moving the lever down to the first detent position. The duration of the intermittent wipe cycle is controlled by the ECU delay timer. The wiper operates in intermittent mode until the lever is moved to the position corresponding to the wiper off, continuous operation at low speed or high speed. The lever contact corresponding to the intermittent mode is connected to the ECU delay timer and ground. When the lever is moved to the position corresponding to the intermittent mode, the circuit is closed. If the circuit is closed, the wipers operate in intermittent mode as long as the contact in the switch is maintained.



The continuous low-speed windshield wiper mode is activated by moving the lever up to the second fixed position. The wiper operation in this mode continues until the lever is moved to one of the following positions: wiper off, wiper on in intermittent mode, wiper on at high speed. The lever contact corresponding to this mode is connected to the ECU delay timer and "ground". When the lever is moved to the position corresponding to the low-speed windshield wiper operation, the circuit is closed. If the circuit is closed, the windshield wipers operate at low speed as long as the contact in the switch is maintained.

The continuous high-speed windshield wiper mode is activated by moving the lever up to the second fixed position. The wiper operation in this mode continues until the lever is moved to one of the following positions: wiper off, intermittent wiper on, low-speed wiper on. The lever contact corresponding to the high-speed mode is connected to the ECU delay timer and ground. When the lever is moved to the high-speed wiper position, the circuit is closed. If the circuit is closed, the windshield wipers operate at high speed as long as the contact in the switch is maintained.

The windshield washers are activated by pressing the button on the end of the windshield wiper/washer stalk on the right side of the steering column. When the button is pressed, the washers are activated immediately and operate until the button is released. The washer button contact is connected to the ECU delay timer and ground. When the button is pressed, the circuit is closed. If the circuit is closed, the washers operate as long as the contact is maintained.

Ignition switch

The ignition switch is located to the left of the steering column assembly. The lock is secured to the cast housing of the steering column locking device by two clamps that fit into corresponding grooves in the housing.

The ignition switch has a hole for the drive shaft. The drive shaft passes through the steering column lock. The shaft is driven by the driver when he turns the ignition key. The rotation is transmitted to the drum in the ignition switch, and two contacts located on the drum close the circuit according to the position of the key in the ignition switch. In each of the three positions of the ignition switch, a spring-loaded ball falls into a seat. This is done so that the driver feels that the required position of the key in the ignition switch has been reached.